A woman's cry broke the silence. Cold fire froze Ridge's blood and he shoved through the underbrush toward the camp. One look told him everything: Emma, trying to kick and claw Cullen as the son of a bitch ripped at her clothes.
Ridge charged toward them.
AN eagle's scream froze Emma. For a split second, Emma stared into the black eyes of a sharp-taloned eagle as it dove toward them. Then the eagle was gone and in its stead was Ridge, colliding with Cullen. The villain released her as he tried to defend himself and Emma rolled away. Terror pumped blood through her veins as she scuttled backward on her hands and knees.
Her breath came in fast, jerky gasps as she watched Ridge and Cullen roll around on the ground. Ridge landed a fist in Cullen's face. The taller man barely flinched and brought up his knee between Ridge's legs. Ridge rolled away, grimacing and panting. Cullen jumped up and attacked Ridge with a roar of fury. Ridge bounced to his feet and spun away, causing the other man to pause.
Ridge delivered a right punch, then a left. The first snapped Cullen's head back and the second sent him staggering backward. Ridge followed him, pressing his advantage with a blow to Cullen's belly. The murderer doubled over and Ridge moved in again, but pulled up sharply when Cullen straightened, holding a knife in his right hand. Emma was certain it was the same one used to wound Colt and kill Hotah.
Cullen swung the blade at him and Ridge sucked in his gut as he jumped back. The knife's tip barely missed him. Cullen tried again, but Ridge grabbed the wrist of Cullen's hand holding the knife. His face reddened as he struggled to force Cullen to drop the weapon. Cullen brought up his other hand and slugged Ridge in the face, but Ridge managed to hold onto Cullen's wrist.
Ridge hooked a leg behind Cullen's and shoved, tumbling the two men to the ground. The knife disappeared between their bodies and Emma struggled to her feet, her lungs fighting for air. She had to do something. Cullen could kill Ridge.
Suddenly the two men froze in a tableau of shock, then they both collapsed, Ridge on top of Cullen. They lay still and silent.
A scream crawled up Emma's throat and she swallowed once, twice to stifle it. She staggered over to them and fell to her knees, her hand hovering an inch above Ridge's back.
"Ridge?" she whispered.
A movement, then a groan and Ridge rolled off Cullen. There was a circle of scarlet blood on Ridge's shirtfront and Emma trembled with horror.
"It's not mine, Emma," he reassured her.
She stared at him, trying to comprehend his words.
Ridge sat up, but didn't touch her. "It's not my blood. It's Cullen's."
Emma's gaze shifted to Cullen's motionless body. "H-he's dead?"
"Yeah."
Emma tugged her ripped blouse tight across her breasts and satisfaction brought her chin up. "Good. I'm glad."
Ridge helped her to her feet and led her away from the body, ensuring her back was to the grisly sight. "Are you all right? Did he—"
Emma shook her head, her own shock dissipating as the shakes settled in. "No. He wanted to. Tried to. But you got here before—"
Her shoulders shuddered as the sobs she'd been restraining broke free. Ridge enfolded her in his arms, smoothing a hand up and down her back. "It's all over now, Emma. He can't hurt you or Chayton anymore."
She jerked up. "Chayton. Did you find him?"
"No. Where is he?"
"I t-told him to run... I d-distracted Cullen. I told him to find you," she stammered out. "He's out there all alone."
As if in reply, three gunshots sounded, breaking the night's stillness. Ridge's smile was brilliant in the moonlight. "Someone just found Chayton. Three shots was the signal for him."
Hope flooded through Emma, replacing her despair. "Who?"
"Your father has most of his men out looking for you and Chayton. I lost Cullen's trail about an hour ago and we split up. The signals were three shots when Chayton was found, and two for you." Ridge brushed her cheek with his fingertips. "I suppose I'd better signal them."
With the danger gone and Chayton safe, Emma slumped against Ridge in exhaustion. "Could we maybe wait a few minutes? I'd like to be able to stand on my own when they get here."
"Anything you want, Emma. Anything you want," Ridge whispered, holding her close.
Emma wrapped her arms around Ridge's waist, reveling in the scent and feel of him. After Cullen's obscene pawings, Ridge's gentleness was seductive yet calming.
"An owl brought me to you," Ridge said after some moments of companionable silence.
Emma drew away from him, but stayed close enough to remain in his embrace. "My dream." She smiled gently. "You were the fearless eagle."
"I don't know about fearless," Ridge said with a wry chuckle. "I was plenty scared for you." He framed her face in his palms. "You could've been killed."
"But I wasn't." Emma took a deep breath and smiled, giddy with relief. "And I still have a chance to make you fall in love with me."
Ridge swallowed hard. "Colt asked me the other night if I loved you. I told him I didn't know, that I'd never been in love before so didn't know what it felt like." Naked devotion shown in his deep, dark blue eyes. "I think I figured it out."
Emma's heart soared and her voice trembled as she spoke the words she'd hidden away for so long. "I love you."
"And I love you, Emma Louise Hartwell." Ridge lowered his mouth to hers, teasing her lips open with the tip of his tongue.
Joy bubbled through her until she could no longer contain it and she broke away from Ridge's too-tempting lips, smiling. "If we don't signal them, we may not get to it until morning and my mother will have a fit. All her wedding plans would be totally ruined."
Ridge laughed. "Your family's going to take some getting used to."
"But it's going to be all right."
Ridge's amusement faded. "Things will be far from perfect, Emma, but we'll have each other and your family, plus some good friends. We'll carve out a home for us."
"I'm not worried. As long as I have you and Chayton, I'll be home."
Although the ranch yard was far from overflowing with guests, those who attended were genuinely happy for Emma and Ridge. Among them were most of the ranch hands; General Mason; the hardware store owner Howard Freeman, his wife and daughter; Gertrude Manning, who couldn't stop apologizing and promised a free meal the next time they were in town; Lieutenant Pres Wylie, Sergeant Gabe Sanders, and the newly promoted Major Rivers, who managed not to pass out during the ceremony; and a handful of other townsfolk who went out of their way to tell Ridge and Emma they were more than welcome in their homes and businesses. The banker and his son were even there, although Emma suspected it was more her father's threat to take all his money elsewhere than well wishes toward the bride and groom that had them in attendance.
Smiling, Emma adjusted the wildflower garland perched on her head—a surprise from Sarah and her mother—and watched Chayton play with George and Sally Orton's children. Emma knew there would be hard times ahead, but she was also confident the good would outweigh them.
Arms came around her waist from behind and lips pressed against her ear. "A penny for your thoughts," Ridge whispered.
Emma leaned back and clasped his hands. "They're not worth nearly that much." He huffed a laugh and warm air wafted across her neck. She shivered and told her body to behave. She watched Sarah, her cheeks pink and her eyes glowing, lean close to Colt Rivers. "Did you notice how Sarah is hovering around Colt?"
"And that Colt doesn't mind her hovering?"
Emma laughed. "It's too bad he's not resigning his commission."
"He would've if General Mason hadn't talked him into accepting a staff position."
"The promotion was an added incentive, too."
Ridge nodded. "The army needs more officers like him."
Someone cleared his throat behind them and they turned as one to face John Hartwell, who had an amused glint in his eyes. Ridge kept his arm around Emma's waist as he nodded at his new father-in-law. "Har
twell."
The older man flinched slightly. "Since we're related now, you could call me John."
Ridge smiled wryly. "That'll take some getting used to."
Her father chuckled. "I imagine it will... Ridge." He withdrew an envelope from his suitcoat pocket and handed it to his son-in-law.
"What's this?"
"A wedding present."
Frowning, Emma watched Ridge open the envelope flap and withdraw an official looking piece of paper that read Certificate of Deed at the top. Ridge glanced at her, a question in his eyes. Although he was learning to read, the progress was slow and vexing. She skimmed the form and her eyes widened.
"He's deeded back all the acres he bought from your stepfather," Emma announced. "And a hundred more, for a total of five hundred acres."
Ridge caught his breath and his gaze shot to the older man. "Why?"
Her father straightened his shoulders and met Ridge's gaze. "I was wrong to cheat him out of that land and I apologize." He held out his hand.
Emma held her breath as Ridge stared at it for a long moment. Then he reached out and clasped her father's hand in a firm grip.
"Thank you, Hart—John," Ridge said with a genuine smile.
The older man turned an affectionate gaze to Emma. "Thank your wife. She's an extraordinary woman."
Emma's eyes filled with tears, and she kissed her father's cheek and hugged him. "Thank you," she whispered.
She released him and stepped back into Ridge's waiting arms.
"I'd best go ask your mother to dance or I'll never hear the end of it," her father said with a wink.
Emma followed his progress through the small throng and smiled as he whisked her mother into his arms.
"Did I tell you about my dream last night?" Emma asked, watching her parents dance.
Ridge's eyes widened slightly as he shook his head.
"There was a female wolf and four young cubs curled up beside her, with an eagle perched above them, guarding them while they slept."
Ridge appeared dazed. "Four?"
"Too many?"
He gazed down at her affectionately. "Not nearly enough, Emma Madoc."
She grinned. "Then we'll have to work on that."
He wrapped her in his strong arms and kissed her tenderly.
To Find You Again Page 31
